The state weather bureau on Tuesday warned of widespread rains and possible flooding as Tropical Storm Basyang continues to move closer to the eastern section of the country, with a landfall scenario now seen later this week.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said Basyang slightly accelerated and was last located about 895 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao. The storm packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour, while moving west southwestward at 20 kilometers per hour.
DOST-PAGASA Weather Specialist Loriene Dela Cruz-Galicia said the system is already affecting large parts of Mindanao and the Visayas even before its possible landfall.
“As early as now ay nagdudulot na yan ng mga pagulan sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao at sa Central at Eastern Visayas,” she said.
She said the storm’s track projection shows a high chance of landfall in the eastern section of Mindanao and the southern portion of Eastern Visayas by Thursday evening or early Friday. After landfall, the system is expected to traverse northeastern Mindanao and the Visayas, particularly Central and Western Visayas, with a possibility of affecting northern Palawan before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility.
The weather bureau clarified that while the storm’s center has not yet affected any landmass, its rainbands and wind field may still expand in the coming days.
“Posible pa yang lumaki at mag-expand pa sa mga susunod na oras at araw,” Dela Cruz – Galicia said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over Surigao del Sur, where winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour are possible within the next 36 hours. The bureau said more areas may be placed under wind signals in the next bulletins as the storm approaches.
Aside from Basyang, the northeast monsoon or amihan continues to affect Luzon, bringing cloudy skies, rains, and cooler temperatures, especially at night and early morning. Cloudy skies with scattered rains are expected over Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Aurora.
The bureau also issued rainfall advisories, warning of 50 to 100 millimeters of rain due to the direct effects of Basyang over Eastern Visayas, southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental. By Wednesday, rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters is possible over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, with widespread rains expected across most of the Visayas and northeastern Mindanao.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas were advised to remain alert due to the risk of flooding and landslides.
A gale warning remains in effect over the northern seaboard and the northern and eastern coasts of Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas. The bureau advised small sea vessels not to venture out as sea conditions may become rough to very roug
